Chapter 173.1: Let’s Go by Temperament (2)

The Samhwa Facility—a makeshift building with a blue roof and white walls made out of panels—was at a higher elevation than the road. The only thing in front of it was a large parking lot.

When the van arrived, a bus that had been parked at the entrance to block it off moved, allowing them to enter. Once the van was inside, the entrance was shut tight again.

“Please come this way,” Kim Hyung-Jung, who had been waiting for them, guided Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho inside the building.

Screech.

When the large door was pushed open, the special forces team inside stood up.

They were no longer beginners at this.

Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho put on a gray military uniform, bulletproof vest, balaclava, and helmet. They then armed themselves.

Click

.

Click

.

Kang Chan could never get used to loading magazines onto his gun. After all, one bullet was all it would take to save a person’s life.

Kim Hyung-Jung hung a large map on a hanger and pointed to one part of the map. “This is where we are right now.”

He then slid his index finger to a red mark. “As you all have probably noticed by now, the area is quite remote, and there’s only a low mountain behind the building. Mr. Kang Chan will be taking command of the operation, which we will be starting at fourteen hundred hours sharp. Until then, National Intelligence Service agents will keep the factory under watch.”

The soldiers felt a strange sense of relief and excitement.

“Mr. Kang Chan.”

Kang Chan stepped forward when Kim Hyung-Jung called him. Before he knew it, he was leading the special forces team.

“I received a call on my way here,” Kang Chan looked at the soldiers. “Choi Jong-Il and Cha Dong-Gyun have regained consciousness.”

Unable to contain their happiness, the soldiers smiled at each other.

“I studied the topographic map on my way here. Before we begin, we will be splitting into two teams. Those with Seok Kang-Ho will be climbing the mountain and entering the building from behind. My team will be moving along the road and approaching the building from the front. I also have to warn all of you to be careful of one simple factor.” Kang Chan glanced at the map, then sharply looked at the men. “If you are burning with too much sense of duty, you’ll find yourself moving without thinking. Make sure you don’t break the rhythm of your team. The moment any of you lose control of yourself and recklessly charge into danger, you will put not only yourselves but the others at risk as well.”

With grim expressions, the soldiers intently listened to Kang Chan. Nobody had ever taught them something like that.

All they were ever taught was how to fire a gun and that they should accomplish their mission no matter what. They never learned anything about rhythm or, to be more precise, how not to break it.

Kang Chan smirked as he looked at the soldiers. He then continued, “Make yourselves comfortable. Lean back against your chairs and stretch your legs out as much as you’d like. Be like Seok Kang-Ho over there.”

Screech. Screech.

The members changed postures and relaxed as if they were imitating Seok Kang-Ho.

“Don’t forget about the look in your eyes and your postures right now. Protect the pride of the special forces team. Keep in mind that you all returned alive after blowing up a Chinese airport, so if anyone has to be nervous, it should be Russia, China, and the United Kingdom,” Kang Chan added.

Kwak Cheol-Ho smiled. He had a strange look on his face.

For some reason, Kang Chan was a lot more talkative whenever he was with these people. It was probably because he wanted to teach them as much as he could, even if it was just one more lesson, and because he couldn’t help but feel greedy about saving even just one more of them from injuries.

“What we have to be careful of is the possibility of Wui Min-Gook making himself explode. As soon as you guys find him, kill him immediately. If you think it’s too dangerous to confront him, then prioritize withdrawing away from danger. We will be sending out the snipers as soon as we arrive anyway. Any questions?” Kang Chan asked.

As soon as Kang Chan finished talking, a few of the soldiers smirked.

It seemed there were people who imitated Kang Chan even in this place.

***

After sending the soldiers on the operation, Choi Seong-Geon parked the jeep in front of the makeshift city and stared blankly in the distance.

Choi Seong-Geon had never acted like this before. He never even thought that he would develop this kind of habit. After all, he didn’t have experience sending his men to actual operations before.

The soldiers’ pride was crushed during the mock battle. They went through live ammo training and, finally, their first operation. Before they knew it, they turned into a special forces team that was constantly sent on missions.

Choi Seong-Geon thought that there was nothing more he could wish for, especially since the special forces team even completely destroyed the Spetsnaz and put an SBS helmet across from his desk as if to show off.

However, humans by nature were difficult to understand.

His men accomplished something great against world-famous special forces, which they were previously envious of, and also completely destroyed a Chinese airport. Nevertheless… he somehow developed a habit of waiting for the soldiers like an old father waiting for his son to return home from the military.

Even just yesterday, he dropped by Cha Dong-Gyun’s house with 1.2 kilograms of beef, drinks, an envelope full of money, and enough snacks to make it seem as if he swept an entire shelf of snacks into his cart at the market.

His wife—who was now used to things like this—was probably talking shit and having a mental rampage, but what could he do? He wanted to see Cha Dong-Gyun and was worried about the man’s family.

Choi Seong-Geon had no salary left from being a General. He had spent it all on the families of Cha Dong-Gyun and the two soldiers left in France.

However, he regretted none of his actions. If he did, then he would have already been given a lot more promotions and would be in a completely different position.

‘Please wake up, you bastard.’

As a commander of a field army, Choi Seong-Geon pretended as if there was nothing wrong and that he didn’t feel anything. However, despite being a commander, he still could not help but hope to see his men return safely.

He wished to send his men to operations not too long ago, but now that his wish had come true, he could not help but feel as if he would not be able to last if all he could do was wait for them.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

After some time, Choi Seong-Geon’s phone rang.

Did my wife find out already? Well, she would have received my credit card statements and withdrawal notifications through her phone, so it’s not completely unlikely.

Choi Seong-Geon had no choice but to answer the call. Otherwise, his phone would just keep ringing until he answered and the issue that he could have ended with her bullshit would end up growing bigger and leading to her demanding a divorce.

With a frown, Choi Seong-Geon took out his phone and checked the caller ID. He didn’t know who was calling him, but the number was long. He picked up the call.

.

“Hello?”

- General, it’s Cha Dong-Gyun.

Choi Seong-Geon felt as if the world just stopped.

- General?

“I hear you.”

Choi Seong-Geon couldn’t be happier to hear weak laughter over the phone.

- I’m sorry for making you worried.

“Considering you’ve recovered enough to talk nonsense, I take it your life isn’t in danger anymore?”

- You were the one who taught me, so how could I die?

Has this guy always been this cheeky?

“Have you called your family?”

- I’ll do that later.

“Give them a call quickly.”

- Alright. I’ll call you back.

“That’s just bothersome. Make it easier for yourself and just get up quickly and come back here instead.”

- Sir, yes sir!

Choi Seong-Geon hung up, then sighed loudly.

“

Phuhuhu

.” His strange laughter echoed through the makeshift city.

***

Chk.

“All the snipers have been deployed,” Seok Kang-Ho radioed in.

Kang Chan examined their target area once more. The mountain at the back was low, and the front was completely open.

The factory was a two-story building with a warehouse attached to it, so it would not be wrong to assume that they would come across armed guards.

Kang Chan gestured to his eyes with his index and middle fingers, then pointed to the balcony on the second floor.

Considering the lack of cover, it would be difficult for Kang Chan and his team to ambush their enemies even under the cover of the night.

The North Korean soldiers’ power and popularity in the Middle East and Africa were beyond imagination. They were great hand-to-hand combatants, had good aim, and even had nerves of steel, eliminating their fear of death. If Kang Chan had to point out their weakness, it would be that they were too old-school.

While fighting such soldiers, Kang Chan and his team had to run to an area that was devoid of anything that they could use as cover.

Kang Chan could only sigh softly as he glared at the second floor of the building.

***

Wui Min-Gook, who was sitting on the sofa, glared at Huh Ha-Soo as if he was going to kill him.

Behind Wui Min-Gook were two men with angular jaws looking at Huh Ha-Soo in the same way. Huh Ha-Soo looked somewhat frightened.

“We had a deal. We even cut off communications with China for it. Pretending as if the deal does not exist now is no different from completely ignoring North Korea and the soldiers who trust and follow me,” Wui Min-Gook said.

“About that—you’re partly to blame for failing to keep your end of the bargain.”

Wui Min-Gook’s eyes narrowed, and Huh Ha-Soo quickly averted his gaze.

“We ran over trusting the information you gave us, but when we got here, the Director of the National Intelligence Service and Kang Chan were already aware that we were coming. You don’t even know where Kang Chan and his parents are right now, do you?” Wui Min-Gook asked.

“Director Wui, let’s just stay hidden for the time being since it’s difficult for me to make a move with my current situation. I’ll be sure to deliver the things that I promised soon, but in return…”

“But in return, what?” Wui Min-Gook immediately responded when Huh Ha-Soo trailed off.

“Please just succeed in the rebellion,” Huh Ha-Soo continued.

Wui Min-Gook bit his cheek.